A Trip to Treasure- Harsh’s Sikkim Vacation with Thrillophilia
It was a bit hard for me to comprehend at first what was happening, the nights were chilly with strong winds making a wishlist sound as they blew and the days were bright and sunny with a dash of clouds creating a nice play of light and shadow.
I was mesmerised to look at the Kanchenjunga stand so tall and strong above all the peaks that were visible from our hotel room window. The birds chirped lively and even the morning tea seemed to rejuvenate the body and make us ready for the day’s adventure.
My partner and I were in Gangtok. And we had 8 days of relentless journeys ahead of us.
The First Leg
On our way to Changu Lake, we saw the clouds rolling down the slopes of the mountains into the valley beside us. The car was speeding through the road, almost empty, crossing waterfalls and bridges like a superfast express car.
It was our very first time visiting the northeastern part of India, and we absolutely loved it. I was just feeling overwhelmed to see all the towering mountains, some of which were even covered in snow. Of course, we had expected it. Since it was the peak of winter, Thrillophilia’s team had already warned us about snowfall. So we were fairly prepared.
Our Baba Mandir excursion was pretty nice as well; we had the opportunity to pay a visit to both the Old Mandir and the New Mandir. But after we returned from there, it was almost evening by that time, the weather changed again and it started raining!
After some time, it stopped raining, and we could finally stroll down the popular MG Street and do some light (I think) shopping for wind chimes, sweaters, coats, and whatnot.
I won't lie, me and my partner both anticipated a snowfall that night, but unfortunately, the only snow we found on the entire trip was in Zero Point.
The Second Leg
As we made our way to the Yumthang Valley from Lachung, we were stunned to see the scenery around us. Thick forests turned into colourful shrubs, which then thinned away into plain grasslands.
When we reached there, we saw a huge meadow stretched before us. There was a swift river cutting through the middle of the valley, and far away we could spot Zero Point. All white.
Braving a few steps and a few hops, I went down the banks to touch the river water and cursed myself immediately after doing that. The water was burning cold, and I could not help but yelp and get as far away from it as possible.
From there we moved up to the Zero Point. Everything was white there, there was snow all around and it gave us an immense sense of joy. After clicking probably 200 pictures of each other, we finally made our way down to Lachung.
The village was quaint and very isolated. The amenities were limited there, like most remote mountainous hamlets, but the people were warm and welcoming.
We got the real taste of Sikkim in Lachen, however. Starting from the food to their local dresses, everything seemed to be a significant marker of the culture there. We tried so many varieties of Thukpa and momos and maggie there that we decided to shelve our recipes and follow these instead. My partner spent a long time talking to the women in the kitchen, noting their spices and learning about their lifestyle.
While I was there, I went out for a short walk around the village.
The houses, the stables, the backyards, and the windows, all gave off authentic Tibetan vibes. I also noticed that there were a lot of Yaks around, so perhaps their main source of milk was from them and that is why their tea tasted so delicious.
The Third Leg
Perhaps one would consider this part of our trip to be the second leg, but for me, it was the highlight of the trip.
Our excursion to Gurudongmar Lake.
The sheer beauty of the journey is something I cannot put into words, but I will surely say a few things. The black smooth road that made its way to the lake, tore the surrounding grassland into two parts. One side boasted stone-black mountains with harsh rugged slopes, and the other side, much farther away, boasted snow-covered peaks that seemed comparatively smooth.
But that was not it.
It was 5 in the morning, and the sun was just rising. We could see all the white peaks around us turned a shade of red first, then pink, orange, and later on a very soothing shade of yellow. It was such a stunning sight to watch… until we reached the lake.
If there was something more pristine, I have no clue about it. This was just about the epitome of the most awe-inspiring vistas I have ever encountered in my life…
The Final Leg
Darjeeling.
There is a certain charm in that city.
Even if I forget about its endless tea estates and top-notch brews of the same, the red pandas that made shy appearances in the zoo, the antique shops that stored years of history and magic, and the amazing restaurants of Glenerys and Keventers, the city would still breathe life into any person. The air felt fresh and the heart felt light. My partner and I had a lovely time there.
Especially our strolls along the Mall road were something to cherish. The romance in the air was overwhelming, especially when she was buying dream catchers to gift me!
Our Darjeeling city tour was comforting and enriching. When we went to the Ghum Station, we were in awe to see the memorabilia of the station and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Taking a joy ride through that small stretch seemed to be the right thing to do, so we did.
We had a memorable vacation with Thrillophilia, filled with laughter, surprisingly strange weather, and lots of Tibetan delicacies. Even while coming back home, we were missing the Dalle Paste and the Churpe salad…but alas, even the best restaurants in Mumbai would not serve those.
Northeast is a treasure trove of experiences and learnings, and after this trip, I have an intense urge to explore the rest of it as well!
Read More: Thrillophilia Sikkim Reviews